French Minister Delegate for Transport visits Liebherr

Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Minister Delegate for Transport at the Ministry of Ecological Transition visited the Toulouse site of Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse on 8 July 2021 as part of his visit to the Occitanie region. Liebherr-Aerospace’s management presented the company’s product strategy, which is based on three axis: strengthening of key aerospace products and technologies, development of new aviation products based on breakthrough technologies, and diversification into new markets.

The visit took place at the test center of Liebherr-Aerospace, which provided the perfect platform to give a detailed presentation of the testing facilities and key strategic products that will allow the company to prepare for the future.

Preparing for the zero-carbon aircraft, a major challenge for Liebherr-Aerospace

Developing a green aircraft is an objective shared by the entire aviation industry. In order to meet this challenge, Liebherr-Aerospace is conducting research and development projects that aim to design more economical air systems, electrical systems and air-bearing compressors - capable of powering high-powered fuel cells without contaminating the cell membranes - for the propulsion of future aircraft using fuel cells.

With the support of the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC), Liebherr-Aerospace is also conducting research regarding hydrogen as an energy source to power all non-propulsion systems on board future aircraft. With the support from the Occitanie Region, the company has installed a hydrogen cell that will enable Liebherr to carry out tests in a real-life configuration, powering all of the key, non-propulsive systems of a single-aisle aircraft.

Continuing to increase diversification into new markets in order to generate a share of growth for Liebherr-Aerospace

In order to prepare for its future, the company is pursuing its diversification strategy based on its key technologies. This is a strategy that involves increasing Liebherr’s presence in the automotive, railway and space sectors in particular.

In these markets, Liebherr-Aerospace is developing greener technologies, particularly for the railway sector, with a range of air conditioning systems based on air cycle technology, using air as a coolant, which is significantly more environmentally friendly since it does not harm the ozone layer. In the automotive sector, the company is developing high-speed air compressors with air bearings that can be used to power fuel cells for light vehicles, as well as for zero-carbon heavy vehicles (lorries, buses, etc.), for which the energy transition is accelerating.

“We have to accelerate the development of our products and technologies that meet the challenges of decarbonization. Some technologies are already available and their deployment must be accelerated. This transformation is essential for our planet and for future generations. We will be ready,” explains Nathalie Duquesne, R&T Director at Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse.